Post-City Struggles Continue to Hurt Title Hopes
Arsenal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Brentford, keeping their Premier League lead over Manchester City at only four points with 12 matches remaining. This result marks the fourth occasion since the start of the year where Mikel Arteta’s team has failed to capitalise after a City fixture in the same gameweek, allowing the gap to narrow when it could have widened.
City comfortably beat Fulham the day before, but Arsenal could not match that momentum against their west London neighbours. Similar patterns appeared earlier in 2026: a loss to Manchester United shortly after City’s victory over Wolves, a missed opportunity to pull clear against Nottingham Forest following City’s defeat in the Manchester derby, and another dropped result versus Liverpool after City slipped up at Brighton.
In contrast, when Arsenal play before City, they often appear far more composed and dominant. Recent examples include comfortable wins against Sunderland ahead of City’s dramatic clash with Liverpool, a strong performance at Elland Road despite losing Bukayo Saka in the warm-up before City’s game at Spurs, and a solid result over Bournemouth prior to City’s Super Sunday fixture against Chelsea. Even the statement victory at home to Aston Villa came the day before City were in action.
Arteta dismissed suggestions that playing second affects his side, pointing out that Arsenal have secured wins shortly after City results earlier in the season, such as narrow December triumphs over Brighton and Everton. However, with the campaign now deep into 2026 and the finish line approaching, the pressure intensifies and every dropped point carries greater weight.
Defensive Lapses and Key Moments at Brentford
Arteta attributed the latest setback to defensive vulnerabilities against one of the league’s most unpredictable and chaotic teams in Brentford. He stressed the need to handle situations better and prevent chances entirely rather than relying on hope.
Several uncharacteristic errors stood out during the match. Gabriel delivered a poor pass that gifted Brentford an early corner and committed multiple clumsy fouls that nearly earned him a red card. David Raya, usually reliable, made a costly throw that led to Igor Thiago’s big first-half opportunity, requiring a crucial save. These moments echoed earlier slips, such as Martin Zubimendi’s error that allowed Manchester United to equalise at the Emirates in January.
Gabriel Martinelli also squandered clear chances against both Nottingham Forest and Brentford, despite his proven ability to deliver in high-stakes moments, most notably against Manchester City back in September. Such misses fuel the narrative that the title race pressure affects even the strongest squads, giving City an edge through their greater experience in closing out campaigns.
Tough Tests Ahead as Race Tightens
Arsenal now face Wolves on Wednesday in a game where City cannot respond immediately, offering a chance to regain momentum. However, City play first in the following two gameweeks, putting Arsenal under pressure once more.
Upcoming fixtures include a London derby at Tottenham, where a potential new-manager bounce could complicate matters after Thomas Frank’s departure, followed by Chelsea visiting the Emirates. Liam Rosenior’s Blues have already shown they can create tense, nervy encounters at Arsenal’s home ground.
In just five days, Arsenal’s lead has shrunk from nine points to four, with City now sensing an opportunity. The title race is alive and Arsenal must quickly address their recurring issue of struggling after City matches to keep their hopes intact.
